Peter Hazel

I made my first piece of “art” in 2011, a simple bird bath, or bird fountain for a friend’s wedding gift. I had been a master tile worker and contractor for thirty years leading up to this moment, but never quite tried my hand at something others would consider art. From there forward I was hooked. I started dreaming of things to create in my spare time; but I wanted to work big. I wanted to work in a way that no one would mistake what they were seeing. This was just the beginning of what has become a life purpose, a calling deeper than anything I have ever known before. “I’m truly just a carpenter, an old school contractor from Half Moon Bay,” that is what I tell most people. I have never been to art school, I like to drink boxed wine and listen to old blues music. But this shines in my art. Thirty years of making muted tone bathrooms and kitchens, and the redundancy of following other people’s visions, the desire to break away from the traditional came out of me in a big wham! I wanted to go crazy with color. I wanted to make larger than life sea creatures that people could slide down, laughing the whole way. My art is naïve, yes, but it’s guaranteed to light up the hearts of the people interacting and viewing it, and that is what is most important to me. My simple attitude and lifestyle translate well into my art in that it is art for everyman. There is no pretension, there is no mistaking what my goals are. I am a straightforward man that creates art that every person can enjoy. I feel called to make art. To see the look on people’s faces, the lit up smiles, the awe when they see my pieces, especially on the larger pieces with LED lights. I never knew in my early years that this is what I would be doing in my retirement, or that this is where my life would wind up, but it all makes sense to me. This art gives me a sense of meaning in life. I feel like I am pulling all of the struggles, the heart breaks, the hard lessons learned together and transforming them into something beautiful, colorful and full of light. I am transforming the past sixty years of my life into pure light and sharing it with the world. This inspires me beyond belief. That my art, and art in general has the power to create transformation. That art has the power to evoke emotion and bring a person outside of themselves. This is why I make art, to pull me outside of myself, but also to conjure this magic that I feel in other people’s hearts. Artist Biography Over the past nine years, second generation outsider artist Peter Hazel has been creating stunning permanent mosaic sculptures in ceramic, tile and glass. Primarily depicting the natural world, Peter is a master of form and scale and imbues his pieces with energy and vibrant color palettes that reflect his love of nature. He works in both 2 and 3 dimensional sculptures, reliefs and mosaic panels. Peter prefers to work with large scales, and is currently working on a forty-five foot tall glass and steel jellyfish sculpture. However, he is happy to and has the capability to work on smaller scales for quainter spaces. He is extremely versatile as an artist and more than capable of working in any type of setting, from large commercial type developments to small private gardens. Peter is also known for his functional art, such as the “Wave Bench” currently on loan to the city of Napa, CA. Currently, he has public art (purchased and on loan) in cities throughout the West. He has exhibited his sculptures at a variety of events, festivals, and openings for the past seven years. Peter also has his art in a multitude of private residences and businesses throughout the United States. Peter’s art is highly marketable, and people tend to love the playful and colorful nature of his work. His work goes well in a variety of environments, as he has collectors all over the map. He also has a wonderful, gregarious personality that tends to win people over; thus he is excellent in engaging people in his art, and inspiring people to become involved in the creative process. Beyond his excellent skills as an artist, Peter was a contractor, and business owner for over 30 years, and has insider knowledge on installing all types of art, working as a team player on commissioned pieces, and working within the design and building industry. Peter has sound knowledge of construction practices and all the legal ramifications of public and private installations. He is skilled at estimating jobs, collaborating with contractors, architects, project managers. Budget requirements are always met while exceeding expectations.